TTC workers arrested, charged with theft

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is rolling out mandatory ethics training for all supervisory and management staff in the wake of a joint investigation with Toronto police that resulted in the arrests of three current and three former transit workers.

On June 11, police executed warrants in Toronto, Mississauga and Penetanguishene with the assistance of the TTC’s investigative section. It is alleged that:

•TTC employees were making purchases of equipment for personal use

•the items purchased were not used for any type of work conducted by the TTC.

In a letter to TTC employees, CEO Andy Byford said the investigation is continuing and he expects more arrests and charges to follow.

“It is alleged that over the course of several years, these individuals stole, defrauded and attempted to circumvent TTC purchasing policies and authorities, harming our collective reputation and the public’s trust of us in the process,” he said.

He pointed out that, last year, he created an Integrity program to “help root out those whose unethical actions” harm the TTC’s reputation — including a hotline at (866) 840-5217 and a website, www.clearviewconnects.com.

While the investigation that led to charges predates the integrity program, Byford said the program must continue — but it also needs to be strengthened with a comprehensive whistleblower policy and a code of ethics.

“As such, I am announcing today that these two policies will be developed for my approval, as well as the TTC board’s approval, and implemented this fall,” he told employees. “I am also announcing today that mandatory ethics training for all supervisory and management staff be developed in consultation with the City of Toronto and the City Auditor General, also for implementation this fall.”

He also announced the TTC has hired forensic audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to review contract controls, signing authority and procurement practices and policies at the TTC.

“The auditors will make recommendations to me on ways that we may further strengthen and make the necessary changes to protect the TTC and public funds,” he said. “I will report on this review to you and the TTC board, also this fall.

Charges

According to a release from Toronto police, the following charges have been laid: